PetStar, a Mexican company globally recognized for its role in food-grade PET recycling, has partnered with Veolia Water Technologies to implement advanced wastewater reuse systems at its facility. This initiative marks a major milestone in PetStar’s ongoing efforts toward achieving water neutrality and underscores its 30-year commitment to environmental stewardship.
As the world’s largest food-grade PET recycling facility, PetStar processes 5.5 billion bottles each year, producing high-quality recycled resin. The company’s dedication to sustainability now extends beyond plastic recycling to water conservation and reuse, with Veolia playing a key role in realizing its water management goals.
In 2025, Veolia commissioned a state-of-the-art water reuse system at PetStar’s plant, allowing for the treatment and reuse of up to 550 cubic meters of wastewater per day. This water, reclaimed from the recycling process, meets the standards set by NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021 and significantly reduces the facility’s reliance on underground water sources. Of this total, 370 cubic meters of water are recovered daily—equivalent to half the daily consumption of the surrounding San Cayetano Morelos community.
Founded in 1995, PetStar has become a benchmark for circular economy practices, addressing global environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution through a human rights-based approach. The company aligns its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. Since 2011, PetStar has been supported by Arca Continental as its main shareholder, along with Coca-Cola Mexico and bottling partners Bepensa Bebidas, Corporación del Fuerte, Grupo RICA, Grupo Embotellador Nayar, and Embotelladora de Colima.
Founded in 1995, PetStar has become a benchmark for circular economy practices, addressing global environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution through a human rights-based approach
“PetStar's commitment to sustainability has remained unwavering over 30 years, driving our process innovation to generate value for our shareholders, create positive social impact and promote resource regeneration, including water,“ said Carlos Mendieta, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at PetStar Mexico. “Partnering with Veolia allows us to go beyond PET. By recycling our processed water we are taking another step towards a circular economy, achieving our water neutral commitments through water conservation, nature regeneration at the Nevado de Toluca, and rainwater harvesting from our green roofs — the four key pillars of our water footprint management.”
The technologies implemented by Veolia include its proprietary Densator™ for rapid sedimentation, the ZeeWeed™ Membrane Bioreactor (MBR), the PROflex™ reverse osmosis process, and Aquaray™ UV disinfection. These systems allow PetStar to recover and reuse water from its industrial processes, reducing its dependence on natural resources.
“For Veolia, partnering with visionary companies like PetStar exemplifies the commitments we have made through our GreenUp strategic program. As their trusted partner in achieving water neutrality, we are demonstrating how the use of innovative technology can harmonize business growth with resource conservation. This collaboration proves that when industry leaders join forces, we can create sustainable solutions that protect our planet's precious water resources while driving operational excellence,” said Mauro Cruz, Head of Water Technologies for Veolia in Latin America.
